Liquid-fuel-feeding device for motor vehicles



M y 6, w E. HART 1,757,666

LIQUID FUEL FEEDING DEVICE MOTOR VEHICLES Filed June 1928 s Sheets-Sheet 1 2 a I WIIIIl'IIbY/IMYI/MEM ggmm A I \V/ j j- (f g 22% 6 ::5 Z6 5 f INVENTOR 7 Wifh'amfl Jfiwt ATTORNEY y 1 30.' w. E. HART 1,757,666

LIQUID FUEL FEEDING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed-Jun'e 9, 1928 O a Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY May 6, 1930. w. E. HART 6 LIQUID FUEL FEEDING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES I Filed June 9, 1928 3 Sheets-Shee 5 INVENTOR Wilh'aazzi'. ffarf ATTORNEY Patented May 6, 1930 UNITED STATES "WILLIAM ELHART, or sen irosn, joAL'IronNIA LIQUID-FUEL -FEEDING DEVICE FOR MOTOR- VEHICLES Application filed June 9,

The invention generally relates to vacuum tanks which are designed for drawing liquid fuelrfrom a lower level vsource. of supply and feeding said fuel by gravity to a carbureter of an internalcombustion engine, and

primarily has for its object; to' provide a new and improved construction of such tank wherein is provided a receiving chamber and a discharging chamber advantageously co '10 operatively arranged and in which means is provided to admit a suitable amount of atmosphericcommunication into the tank to provide for smooth and uninterrupted discharge of the liquid fuel while effectively preventing discharge of liquid fuel or vapor from said receiving chamber to atmosphere.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel arrangement of main and auxiliary tank portionspartially telescoped and removably securedtogether to form the receiving and discharging chambers, and a novel self cleaning valve through which communication between said chambers is had at 7 times. l v Another object of the invention is to pro- I vide means for equalizing the air control above the liquid fuel in the receiving chamber.

A further object of the invention islt'o pro- 3 vide a novel means fordelivering the liquid fuel to the receiving chamber in a manner serving to prevent clogging of the chambers communicating valve. I

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, the invention further resides in the to Figure 1,the

1928. Serial nazgoas.

tion,and a modified form ofvalve mounting bracket being disclosed.

Figure 3 is apla-n view.

Figured is a detail horizontal-section taken on the line 44 of Figure 1. v

Figure 5 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 55 on Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a detail view of the float and the 7 control valve which is actuated its rise mean. r 1 In the practical development of the invention I provide a main tank 1 preferablyof' sheet metal which forms within its confines a receiving chamber 2. The tank 1 carries a flange 3fsecured thereon as at 4: by sweating or soldering and which extends outwardly to be securedon the mounting flange 5 carried at the upper end of an'auxiliary or lower tank 6. The flanges 3 and 5 are secured together by screws 7 which pass through apertures in the flange 3 and int'othreaded taps in the flange 5, 'anda gasket 8 is interposed between the I flanges to make the joint liquid tight.

The tank 1 is closed at its top by a cover plate-9 andthe tank6 hasa closed bottom 10. An air tube 11 issecured to the side wall of the tankl and extends from a point above the V capof the said tank down along one wall thereof and through the flange 3 into the liquid fuel discharging chamber formed in V the tank thus providing for atmospheric communication into the said discharge chamher at all times. The tank 6 is provided with a reinforce boss 12 at its bottom which is pro- YlClQCl with a'thrca-ded bore to receive the nipple 13 by which connection may be-made to the carbureter (not shown).

A liquid 'fueldelivery nozzle head 14; is fitted in one wall of the tank 1 and includes a threaded bore to receive the nipple 15 by which connection may be made with the sup ply tank (not shown). The head 14 includes alinarrow discharge throat 16 positioned to deliver close to and against the inner wall of the tank so that the liquid fuel delivered therethrough will pass down the cylindrical wall of the tank bya rotary or swirling motion. v

This means of delivering the liquid fuel into the tank serves to keep the liquid fuel in will be described in detail hereinafter. .7

The topor covert) carriesa control head 17 which has a threaded bore 18 inwhich a nip ple 19 is mounted to facilitate connectionwith any suitable source of suction (not shown) The head 17 is provided with a vertical control valve bore 20 and a horizontallydisposed air chamber or relief bore 21. A plate 22 closes over the'upper endof the bore'20 and is secured as at 23 to the head and includes an orifi'ce'24 through which airjis admitted into the said bore. A similarfplate25is secured as at 26 to cover the horizontal bore 21 andthis plate is likewise provided with an air admitting orifice 27 f i l "Abommunicatingpassage 28 is provided between the bore 20 and the receiving chamber 2 the purpose for which will later bedescribed. a r v 7' A valve. head 29 is vertically reciprocable in the bore20 and is provided with a cross duct 2 30 which passes throughthe'said valve horizontally and is connected by a vertical con 'necting duct 31'with the communicating passage 28 and through that passage with the liquid fuel receiving chamber of the tank'l.

- A duct 32 communicates between the suction connection and the valverbore 20 and another duct 33 communicates betweenthe bores 20 and 21. The duct 32 is arranged on a low level so that-when the valve is in its lowermost position as illustrated in Figure 1 communication will-be open between the suction line, duct 32, and through ducts30, 31 and the passage'28 with the interior of the tank 1 or liquid fuel receiving chamber. hen the valve is shifted to itsother extreme as illustrated in Figure 2, the duct 33 will be brought a into function to open communication between the bore 21 and the ducts 30 and 31 and the passage 28 chamber.

A piston 34 is freely reciprocable in the bore 21 and is normally held to the position illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawingsbya coil sp'ring5. r,

The bottom of the tank 1 is open and as will be observed by reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, is. partially telescoped into the tank v(3 so that its open end is surrounded withthe said liquid fuel receiving by the said tank 6. The lower end of the tank 1 is'equipped with a seat ring 36 of non-rusting'metal ofheavier gage than the tank and 1 on which a flat disk valve 37 normally seats to so close communication between the liquid fuel receiving and discharging chambers. V

The valve 37 has secured thereto a cone 38 through which the screw 39 passes, and the said screw has its non-threaded end 40 passed through a receiving aperture inv the free end of a supporting lever or arm 41 which is provided at 42 on a bracket 43. The bracket 43 is secured at 44 to the tank 1 in the tank6 and may be provided with teat and socket connections 45 toprevent displacement on its single screw mounting. V

Aspring 46 is' conneeted'ztofi the lever arm 42 and to the bracket and-serves to normally 7 holdthe valve in the 'seatedposition illustrated in Figure 1, a suitable abutment heel 47 being provided on the bracket to limit the openingof the valve as indicated in Figure 2 It will be observed that matically cut ofl' suction connection when the.

supply has been suitably replenished I provide a float'48, adapted'to rise and fall in the receiving chamber '2 according'to the liquid level therein. 1

The float 48 isr provided with a central tube opening"49"to "adapt the same to freely slide on the valve head shifter stemr5O which is connected at 51'to the valve head29'and is 'provided with upper and lower fixed cushion spring abutments'52. The float is free to slide 011 the stem between the limits of the.- springs- 52 but when the float moves far enough in either direction to engage one of the springs, continued movement of the-float in that direction will cause a lifting or lowering of the shifter rod which will serve to snap-shift the valve 29 either to the position illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings or from'that position to the position illustrated in Figure 2. l

To provide for thissnap-shift of the valve the stem 50 is connected at its lower end by a'toggle link'53 with a bracket 54 which is secured as at 55 to the wall of the tank 1. A retractile spring 56 is connected as at 57 to the bracket 54 and as at :58 to the stem 50. Thus each time the stem is moved in one direction or another by the float as the centers of the link 53 and spring 56 pass the dead center or aligning position the spring will serve to snap-throw the stem the remaining distance providing for certain and quick actuationof the valve 29. I

In operation, assuming the parts to be in the position illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings the suction through the connection 19 will be effective through ducts 32, 30, 31

and passage 28 to draw liquid fuel fromthe opening the disk valve 37', as at times it may As the stem 50 moves upwardly the 53 and spring 56 will be brought into al1gnment and continued movement of the stem.

will cause' the said link and spring to pass. the

at atmospheric pressure in the bore 21 to pass intothe chamber 2 and-relieve the partial vacuum therein without opening the said cl'iam-ber to atmospheric communication.

lVith the vacuum in the upper end'of the chamber 2' thus relieved when the weight of the column of liqu-id'in the tank -1 overcomes the balance of the liquid in the discharging chamber, the valve 37 will automatically open as-il'lustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings and allow liquid fuel to pass from the receiving chamber into the discharging chamber to replenish the supply therein.

By providing the simply constructed diskvalve 37 and rotatably mounting the same, it is possible for the said valve to automatically keep its seat clean and assure efiicient operation; Also by reason of providing and mounting the peculiarly constructed deli-very head 14, 16 so that the fuel is delivered intothe tank by a swirling motion clogging of the valve by sedimentis assured against. This circular delivery of the liquid fuelalso assures against interference with float action.

The disk valve 37 is drawntight across the seat ring 36 while in suction action as illustrated in Figure 1; The spring 46 tends to hold the disk valve 37 lightly in the seated position. However, this does not prevent the liquid fuel in. the receiving chamber 2 from be that the liquid fuel will drop below high level and below the center of the chamber 2 before the float 48 has shifted the valve 29 from the position illustrated in Figure 2.

By providing the peculiar construction of tank it is possible to provide for proper drawing of liquid fuel into and the delivery 'of the said fuel from the tank without providing atmosphere communication direct into the receiving chamber, thus overcoming problems of evaporation in the'said chamber. By provid-- ing the peculiarly constructed and arranged valve device and'thespring-pressed free piston in the air relief here means is provided to assure quick action of the controlvalve and quick drawing of the desired charge of air under atmospheric pressure into the bore valve and means p From: the. foregoing description, takenv in connection with the. accompanying drawings, it is thought that the novel details of construction, the manner of use. andthe advantages" of my invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in. the art to which it relates.

lVhat I claim is: v

1. A device of the: character described comprising a tank having separate. liquid" fuel chambers therein, a. valve to control'commwnicationbetween the chambers, means providing for the, introduction ofliquid fuel into the. tank and. including afloat controlled vacuum. valve and. a liquid fuel delivery head i to deliver the liquid fuel into the tank above said first named valve and to one side of. the float with a swirling motion to agitate the fuel in thetank and prevent clogging of the oviding for the delivery of the: fuel out of the tank; 1

2. A device of the characterdescri-bed com- 7 prising a cylindrical tank having separate liquid fuelchambers therein, a valve to control communication between the chambers,

means providing for the introduction of liq-- uid fuel into-the tank and including a liquid fuel delivery head to deliver'liquid fuel into the tank, saidhead having an intake-throat and a delivery throatv disposed to deliver against and: in the direction of curvature of the side wall of the tank to: set up a swirling motion in the liquid fuel in the tank and overcome tendencies of foreign particles to:

settle therein and clog said valve and means I providing for the. delivery of the: fuel out of.

the tankv V 3. A device of the character described comprising a tank having a liquid fuel receiving chamber and a dischargingchamber,the low I enend of the'rreceiving chamber projecting into the discharging chamber and communicating therewith, means to connect the receiving chamber with a source of liquid fuel supply, means to deliver liquid fuel-fromthe discharging chamber, a valve through which the chambers communicate and adapted to] open when the supply-10f liquid fuel in the. discharging chamber needs replenishing, said receiving chamber being closed to direct communication with the atmosphere, saiddischarging chamber being open. to direct communication 'with the atmosphere, means. to connect the receiving chamber with a source of suction to drawliquid fuel thereinto, means toopen and closethe suction source communication accordingly as the levelof liquid fuel in the receiving chamber falls below or rises to a predetermined level, and means located on the top of the tank and active each time the suction communication is: cut ofif to'relieve the partial vacuum. above the column of liqu-idfuel in the receiving chamber and permit the valve to open for thepurpose described. 7 a

4. A device of the character described come prisin-g a tank having a liquid fuel'receiving chamber andia dischargingchamber, means to connect the receiving chamber :with a source of liquid fuelsupply, means to deliver. liquid fuel from-the discharging chamber, a valve through which the chambers communicate and adapted to open when the supplyzof liquid fuel in the discharging chamber needs replenishing, saidireceiving chain berbeing closed to direct"communication with the atmosphere, said discharging cham ber being open to direct communication with theatmosphere, means to connect the receiving chamber with a source of suction to draw liquid fuel thereinto, means to open and close the suction source communication according.

1y as the level-of liquid fuelj inthe receiving chamber falls .below or rises to a predetermined le-vel,'said tank having an air trapping chamber therein provided withan' opening to atmosphere when the communication with thesuction source is eifect1ve,-means QCUVG with the closing off of the suction source communication to close said air tra'pp'ing chamber atmosphere opening and to open communication between the air trappingchamher and the liquid fuel receiving chamber for the purpose described.

I 5. A device of thecharacter described comprising a tank having a'liquid fuel receiving chamber and a dischargingchamber, means to connect the receiving chamber =with -a source of liquid fuel supply,-means to deliver liquid fuel from thediscliarging chamber,

a valve through which the chambers communicate and adaptedto open when the supply of liquid fuel in the discharging; chamber needs replenishing, said receiving chamber being closed to c direct communication with the atmophere, said discharging chamber being opento, direct communication with the atmosphere, means to connect thereceiving chamber with a-source ofsuction to draw 1iqlll(l-fllGl-f'tllYQlIltO, means to open and close the suction source communicationaccoi'dingly as the level of liquid fuel in the r ceivingchamber falls below or rises to a predetermined level, said tank havingan' air trapping chamber therein provided'with an opening to atmosphere when the communication with the suction source is effective, means active with the closing off of the suction source communication to close saidair trapping chamber atmosphereopening and to open communication between the air trapping chamber and the liquid fuel receivingchamwhen the supply of liquid fuel in the discharging chamber needs; replenishing, SELICl receiving chamber being, closed to direct communication with the atmosphere, said discharging chamberbeing open to direct communication with the atmosphere, a valve c chamber communicat ng with the receiving chamber, a suction .duct adaptedto ,be connected to a source of suction, means to con nect the 'receiving'chamber to a source of liquid vfuel supply, neans to deliver liquid fuel from the ischarging chamber, a member havin an air tra in -chamber therein a a relief duct communicating between the tra pin chamber and the valve chamber an atmospheric airductleadmg into the valve I chamber, a controhvalveoperable in the valve chamber j shiftable to one position to open suction communication between the suction source and the receiving chamber and between the trapping chamber and atmosphere and shift-able in another direction to close the suction communication and the atmospheric air communication to the trap-4 ping chamber and to opengrelief communica-] tion between the trapping chamber, and the receiving chamber, and liquid fuel level controlled means to shift 7 said control valve.

7. A device of the character described;

comprising atank having a liquid-fuel re.-

ceivingchamber and a liquid fujel' discharg ing chamber, avalve through which the chambers communicate and adaptedto open when the supply of liquid fuel in the; dis-V charging chamber needs replenishing, said receiving chamber being closed to direct communication with the atmosphere, said discharging chamber being open to direct communication with the atmosphere, a valve chamber communicating with the receiving chamber, a suctionduct adapted tobe connected to a source of suction, means to connect the receiving chamber to a source of liquid fuel supply, means 'to .deliver'liquid fuel from the discharging chamber, a member having an air trapping chamber therein, a relief duct communicating between the trapping chamber and the valve chamber, an

atmospheric air duct leading into the valve chamber, a control valve operable in the valve chamber shiftable to one position to open suction communicationbetween the suction source and the receiving chamber and between the trapping chamber'and atmosphere and shiftable in another direction to close the suction communication and the atmose pheric air communication to the trapping chamber and to open relief communication between the trapping chamber and the receiving chamber, aspring-presse-d free piston operablein the trapping chamber, and

liquid fuel level controlled means to shift,

said control valve.

"8. A device of the character described comprising a tank embracing a liquid fuel refice said reservoirs, means for maintaining a pre ceiving reservoir, and a float operated valve 1 a determined minimum supply of fuel in both said reservoirs, said means comprising a fuel inlet duct to the receiving reservoir, a suction duct in communication with the receiving reservoir and an air storing-up device arranged for communication alternatelywith the surrounding atmosphere and with the recontroll ing the action oflboth said air storing device and said suction duct. p

15. In vacuum fuel tanks, a fuel receiving reservoir and a fuel delivering-reservoir in communication with one another whereby liquid will flow from the receiving reservoir into the delivering reservoir, means to maintain direct communication between said delivering reservoir and a the surrounding atmos-' 1 phere-at a point above the liquid levels in said reservoirs, means for maintaining a predetermined minimum supply of fuel in both said reservoirs, said means comprising a fuel inlet duct to the receiving reservoir, a suction duct in communication with the receiv- 7 ing reservoir and an air storing-up device arranged for communication alternately with the surrounding atmosphere and with the receiving reservoir, and a float actuated air suction valve controlling the communication of said suction duct with said receiving reservoir, and means actuated in cooperation with said air suction valve to permit communicak tion between said device and the surrounding atmosphere only when said suction duct is open, and to open communication between said deviceand said receiving reservoir only when said suction duct is closed.

WILLIAM E. HART. 

